The Town of Essex will need provincial approval before it can hold a third and final vote, but it is looking at changes to bylaws governing the way municipal elections are held.
Specifically, it is examining the way proxy votes are handled, and the rules for election signs.
Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said the way they are written now is confusing.
"I think it will make it easier for everyone because first-timers probably have a difficult time trying to interpret what they're allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do," he said. "Even for seasoned candidates, there were some things that were confusing."
Before town councillors can hold that final vote and enact the changes recommended by Town Clerk Roger Auger, the province will have to approve the changes. Meloche hopes the council can vote on them in the fall.
"It's not 100 per cent that we can do it," he explained. "Everything is conditional on approval from the province."
Back in February, the Ontario Provincial Police charged Mayor Larry Snively with procuring persons to vote in a municipal election when those persons were not entitled. The charges under the Municipal Act are not criminal and stemmed from an investigation that started after complaints. The town requested the OPP investigation into the alleged improper use of proxy forms.
Some of the changes proposed will address the allegations against Snively.
"What our clerk is suggesting is that if we have someone who wants a proxy vote, that they go through the office rather than the candidate," said Meloche. "This way, the clerk can properly explain to the person who's using the proxy how they're supposed to go about filling out the proxy."
Meloche said councillors had planned to address the election rules after Snively's case made its way through the court system, but the trial has been delayed because of the pandemic.
